10 Things Every Amazon Shopper Should Know

At StyleDemocracy, we know shopping! We deliver the scoop on all things retail-related including how to get the best value at your favourite stores and online retailers. Hidden offerings, insider secrets and the ultimate savings… we’ve rounded up the 10 things every Amazon shopper needs to know. Keep reading for the top tips for shopping at Amazon.

1. Sign Up for an Amazon Prime Membership

Not many shoppers capitalize on the savings of an Amazon Prime membership, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re a frequent shopper and typically make purchases less than the free shipping threshold. For a $79 annual fee, Amazon Prime members benefit from free two-day shipping, discounted same-day or one-day delivery, Twitch Prime, Amazon Originals, early access to deals, and unlimited photo storage. Not too shabby!

2. Pay Attention to Shipping Options

Speaking of shipping… non-Amazon Prime members need to pay attention to their defaulted shipping option upon checkout! Just because you spend over $35 CAN to qualify for free shipping, does not mean that Amazon will automatically populate this option to you. Upon checkout, your shopping cart will typically default to a quicker (paid) shipping option rather than free. This can cost you upwards of $7 on top of your order’s total. Watch out!

3. Get Paid for Shopping at Amazon

Why just save when you can save and earn? Earn up to 2% cash back on every Amazon order by first logging on through your Ebates account. Don’t have an Ebates account? It’s so easy to join and even easier to begin earning money just for shopping – click here to sign up! While 2% cash back doesn’t seem like a lot, your earnings on top of savings will really add up once your quarterly Ebates cheque arrives in the mail. Hello, big fat cheque!

4. Shop Amazon Deals

As though you weren’t already saving enough by shopping at Amazon… this online retailer has a Deals Store offering customers both Daily Deals and Lightning Deals. These specials are time sensitive and only available in limited quantities, but range across all departments. If you see a product for sale listed here – buy it, immediately!

5. Clip Amazon Digital Coupons

Yes, coupon clipping isn’t just for the grocery store. Visit Amazon’s Coupons section to digitally clip coupons and add them to your shopping cart. The coupon value will be deducted upon checkout before taxes are calculated. Enjoy the ease of sorting through coupons based on product category, popularity or expiry date. Amazon also offers ‘Subscribe and Save’ coupons which provide discounts on household staples affiliated with a monthly or quarterly subscription service.

6. Shop Amazon Outlet

Who knew you could save EVEN more? Yes, Amazon has an entire Outlet section of seasonal clearance items and markdowns. The Outlet section gathers all of the discounts, markdowns, closeouts, and overstock deals that Amazon has to offer in one place for your shopping convenience.

7. Shop Amazon Warehouse

Looking for even more savings? The Amazon Warehouse sells pre-owned and open box items at a discount. Amazon guarantees that Warehouse products are hand checked and in selling condition, backed by both Amazon’s Customer Service Policy and a 30-day Return Policy.

8. Save with CamelCamelCamel

Now let’s talk pricing! CamelCamelCamel is an awesome tool for monitoring price activity and analyzing whether the existing price of an Amazon item is of good value. Amazon’s prices are constantly changing for a multitude of reasons. Make sure you’re getting the best deal by analyzing an item’s Price History Chart on CamelCamelCamel. This will tell you an item’s price variations over time across all price points and provide you with an item’s high, low and average price point. Who knew?

9. Create an Amazon Wish List

Use your Amazon Wish List to bookmark the items that you’re hoping to purchase in the future. Share your Amazon Wish List with friends and family as a gift giving tool for special occasions or to organize various shopping lists. By signing up for email alerts from Amazon, you’ll be notified when an item on your Wish List drops in price. Why buy now what you can save on later?

10. Hold Items in Your Shopping Cart

Sneaky Savings Tip: If you’re lusting after a high priced item on Amazon but don’t want to splurge on it, simply add it to your shopping cart and then DON’T CHECKOUT! Sometimes Amazon will send you a friendly email reminder enticing you to complete your purchase with the help of a coupon code to use towards you order.

Do you agree with our list of the 10 things every Amazon shopper needs to know? What would you add?

Cristina is a Marketing Manager, Blogger and avid Shopaholic. Retail obsessed, you can spot Cristina scouting out new stores and sales all across the GTA. A Toronto native, Cristina spends her free time glued to social media, trying new workouts and looking for the best new coffee spots. Connect with Cristina: Twitter or Instagram